Demand for Trails and Routes - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 119

Table 4.13 Top 15 reasons people enjoy scenic byways

Characteristic Average rating (1 = not important,

5 = very important)

Opportunity to experience the beauty of nature 4.5

Chance to view rural scenery 4.4

Driving scenic byways makes me feel better 4.3

Visual excitement or stimulation 4.2

Allows a more relaxed pace of travel 4.2

Opportunity to see historic buildings 4.0

Sense of oneness with nature 3.9

A break from daily routine 3.9

What you see is always interesting 3.8

Freedom of the open road 3.8

Alternative to high-speed roads 3.7

Chance to revitalize oneself 3.7

Provides time for thinking 3.7

Change from city life 3.7

It is a good family-oriented activity 3.4

Source: Based on Kent (1993: 98).

appreciating nature, scenery and outdoor sights and sounds; enjoying soli-
tude in nature; reflecting on life; and seeking novelty, or doing something
different (Lee et al. , 2002: 26).
The West Highland Way (WHW), the first long-distance route in
Scotland, was established in 1980 and has become an extremely popular
hiking trail through the country's dramatic natural and cultural landscapes
(Aitken & Smith, 2002; Marsh, 2003). Marsh (2003) and Aitken and Smith

Table 4.14 Motivations and user type of a suburban all-purpose trail

Motivations Activity/user type

Exercise In-line skaters, runners

Enjoyment In-line skaters, bicyclists

Personal control In-line skaters

Family togetherness In-line skaters, runners, walkers

Excitement In-line skaters, bicyclists

Friendship ties Runners

Skill development In-line skaters, bicyclists, runners

Source: Based on Lee et al. (2002).